Methods, Computer Program Products And Apparatus Providing Shared Spectrum Allocation

ABSTRACT

In one exemplary embodiment, a method includes: estimating network load for at least one region of a network using a load measurement method ( 201 ); using a decision criteria and the estimated network load, determining whether a bandwidth frequency allocation of a dedicated shared bandwidth for the at least one region should be modified, wherein the dedicated shared bandwidth includes bandwidth used by a plurality of systems of the network ( 202 ); and in response to determining that the bandwidth frequency allocation should be modified, modifying the bandwidth frequency allocation of the at least one region ( 203 ). In another exemplary embodiment, a method includes: providing a dedicated bandwidth to be allocated among a plurality of systems of a network including a first system and a second system; and allocating the dedicated bandwidth such that it includes a first allocation for the first system, a second allocation for the second system and a shared portion.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The exemplary embodiments of this invention relate generally to wirelesscommunication systems and, more specifically, relate to integration ofLTE with other current communication systems (e.g., GERAN).

BACKGROUND

The following abbreviations are employed:

2G second generation of GSM-based mobile networks

3G third generation of GSM-based mobile networks

3GPP third generation partnership project

ARFN absolute radio frequency class number

BCCH broadcast control channel

BS base station

DAB digital audio broadcasting

DL downlink

DVB digital video broadcasting

EDGE enhanced data rates for GSM evolution

EGPRS enhanced GPRS

ETSI European telecommunications standards institute

E-UTRAN evolved universal terrestrial radio access network

GERAN GSM/EDGE radio access network

GPRS general packet radio services

GSM global system for mobile communications

HSPA high speed packet access

IEEE institute of electrical and electronics engineers

IP internet protocol

LTE long term evolution of UTRAN (E-UTRAN)

MA mobile allocation

MIMO multiple input/multiple output

OFDM orthogonal frequency division multiplexing

RRM radio resource management

SAE system architecture evolution

TCH traffic channel

UE user equipment, such as a mobile station or mobile terminal

UL uplink

UMTS universal mobile telecommunications system

UTRAN universal terrestrial radio access network

WCDMA wideband code division multiple access

Wi-Fi WLAN based on the IEEE 802.11 standard

WiMAX worldwide interoperability for microwave access (IEEE 802.16standard)

WLAN wireless local area network

LTE (E-UTRAN) describes the evolution of mobile technology that willdeliver users the benefits of faster data speeds and new services bycreating a new radio access technology that is optimized for IP-basedtraffic and offers operators a relatively simple upgrade path from 3Gnetworks. Alongside LTE is work on the evolutionary development of thecore architecture of mobile networks, called SAE. Together, they willoffer operators networks with significant performance enhancements over3G, with a target of two to four times the spectral efficiency ofcurrent 3G/HSPA networks. This means LTE networks will be able tosqueeze more bits of data into the same amount of spectrum as 3G andHSPA networks, translating into increased data speeds and/or increasedcapacity. “LTE—Delivering the optimal upgrade path for 3G networks,”Nokia Press Backgrounder, Oct. 2, 2006.

LTE is the result of ongoing work by the 3GPP, a collaborative group ofinternational standards organizations and mobile-technology companies.3GPP set out in 1998 to define the key technologies for the 3G, and itswork has continued to define the ongoing evolution of these networks.Near the end of 2004, discussions on the longer-term evolution of 3Gnetworks began, and a set of high-level requirements for LTE wasdefined: the networks should transmit data at a reduced cost per bitcompared to 3G; they should be able to offer more services at lowertransmission cost with better user experience; LTE should have theflexibility to operate in a wide number of frequency bands; it shouldutilize open interfaces and offer a simplified architecture; and itshould have reasonable power demands on mobile terminals.Standardization work on LTE is continuing, and the first standards aredue to be completed in the second half of 2007, with some operatorsprojected to deploy the first LTE networks in 2009. “LTE—Delivering theoptimal upgrade path for 3G networks,” Nokia Press Backgrounder, Oct. 2,2006.

LTE defines new radio connections for mobile networks, and will utilizeOFDM, a widely used modulation technique that is the basis for Wi-Fi,WiMAX, and the DVB and DAB digital broadcasting technologies. Thetargets for LTE indicate bandwidth increases as high as 100 Mbps on theDL, and up to 50 Mbps on the UL. However, this potential increase inbandwidth is just a small part of the overall improvements LTE aims toprovide. LTE is optimized for data traffic, and it will not feature aseparate, circuit-switched voice network, as in 2G GSM and 3G UMTSnetworks. “LTE—Delivering the optimal upgrade path for 3G networks,”Nokia Press Backgrounder, Oct. 2, 2006.

The evolution to LTE may be compelling for many operators because of thereduced capital and operating expenditures it requires over previous 3Gnetworks. A key aspect of LTE is its simplified, flat networkarchitecture, derived from it being an all-IP, packet-based network, andthe use of new techniques to get high volumes of data through a mobilenetwork. This allows many of the network elements involved in the datatransport between an operator's base stations and its core network incurrent cellular systems to be removed. This not only helps to reducelatency, but also helps to significantly reduce cost, since fewer piecesof network equipment are needed to achieve the same results. Alsodriving down operators' cost per transmitted bit will be the use ofOFDM, which offers relatively high spectral efficiency, and theincreased capacity LTE will offer—essentially allowing operators tosqueeze more data into the same bandwidth of spectrum. “LTE—Deliveringthe optimal upgrade path for 3G networks,” Nokia Press Backgrounder,Oct. 2, 2006.

Another important feature of LTE is the amount of flexibility it allowsoperators in determining the spectrum in which it will be deployed. Notonly will LTE have the ability to operate in a number of differentfrequency bands (meaning operators will be able to deploy it at lowerfrequencies with better propagation characteristics), but it alsofeatures scalable bandwidth. Whereas WCDMA/HSPA uses fixed 5 MHzchannels, the amount of bandwidth in an LTE system can be scaled from1.25 to 20 MHz. This means networks can be launched with a small amountof spectrum, alongside existing services, and adding more spectrum asusers switch over. It also allows operators to tailor their networkdeployment strategies to fit their available spectrum resources, and nothave to make their spectrum fit a particular technology. “LTE—Deliveringthe optimal upgrade path for 3G networks,” Nokia Press Backgrounder,Oct. 2, 2006.

Adding to LTE's appeal for operators using 3GPP-based networks is thatit is clearly designed as an evolutionary upgrade, not a technology thatdemands a completely new system from the ground up. This means thatexisting network resources can be reused where possible, with particularwork going in to minimizing the radio network upgrades required. Inaddition, a key target is to enable LTE to interwork with 3GPP-basedlegacy networks, allowing for service continuity. Handovers between LTEand legacy systems will be in place from the outset, allowing for theuse of legacy networks to provide fallback coverage. “LTE—Delivering theoptimal upgrade path for 3G networks,” Nokia Press Backgrounder, Oct. 2,2006.

A conventional GERAN network is capable of operation on a 200 kHzresolution. A typical minimum frequency band allocation requirement tooperate a GERAN network is 5.0 MHz, which, using a BCCH reuse of 12,gives 12 BCCH carriers (ARFNs) and 13 hopping traffic carriers (ARFNs).In some extreme examples, a GERAN network has been initially deployedwith 3.6 MHz, which gives only 6 frequencies for hopping. Note that atighter BCCH reuse than 12 can also be used as there is no limitationfor this in the GERAN specification, however the service qualitygenerally cannot be maintained at an acceptable level for BCCH frequencyreuses tighter than 12. In those cases, BCCH DL transmission may beimproved with, for example, delay diversity, phase hopping and/orantenna hopping. See, e.g., “Solutions for GSM Narrowband Deployment,”Rivada et al., The 5th International Symposium on Wireless PersonalMultimedia Communications, vol. 2, pp. 848-852, Oct. 27-30, 2002; and“Capacity Gain from Transmit Diversity Methods in Limited BandwidthGSM/EDGE Networks,” Hulkkonen et al., The 57th IEEE Semiannual VehicularTechnology Conference, vol. 4, pp. 2413-2417, Apr. 22-25, 2003.

SUMMARY

In one exemplary embodiment, a method includes: estimating network loadfor at least one region of a network using a load measurement method;using a decision criteria and the estimated network load, determiningwhether a bandwidth frequency allocation of a dedicated shared bandwidthfor the at least one region should be modified, wherein the dedicatedshared bandwidth comprises bandwidth used by a plurality of systems ofthe network; and in response to determining that the bandwidth frequencyallocation should be modified, modifying the bandwidth frequencyallocation of the at least one region.

In another exemplary embodiment, a program storage device readable by amachine, tangibly embodying a program of instructions executable by themachine for performing operations, said operations including: estimatingnetwork load for at least one region of a network using a loadmeasurement method; using a decision criteria and the estimated networkload, determining whether a bandwidth frequency allocation of adedicated shared bandwidth for the at least one region should bemodified, wherein the dedicated shared bandwidth comprises bandwidthused by a plurality of systems of the network; and in response todetermining that the bandwidth frequency allocation should be modified,modifying the bandwidth frequency allocation of the at least one region.

In a further exemplary embodiment, an apparatus including: a memoryconfigured to store a decision criteria; and a processor configured toestimate network load for at least one region of a network using a loadmeasurement method, to use the decision criteria and the estimatednetwork load to determine whether a bandwidth frequency allocation of adedicated shared bandwidth for the at least one region should bemodified, and, in response to determining that the bandwidth frequencyallocation should be modified, to modify the bandwidth frequencyallocation of the at least one region, wherein the dedicated sharedbandwidth comprises bandwidth used by a plurality of systems of thenetwork.

In another exemplary embodiment, an apparatus including: means forestimating network load for at least one region of a network using aload measurement method; means for using a decision criteria and theestimated network load to determine whether a bandwidth frequencyallocation of a dedicated shared bandwidth for the at least one regionshould be modified, wherein the dedicated shared bandwidth comprisesbandwidth used by a plurality of systems of the network; and means formodifying, in response to the means for determining that the bandwidthfrequency allocation should be modified, the bandwidth frequencyallocation of the at least one region.

In a further exemplary embodiment, a method including: providing adedicated bandwidth to be allocated among a plurality of systemscomprising a first system and a second system; and allocating thededicated bandwidth such that the allocated bandwidth comprises a firstallocation for the first system, a second allocation for the secondsystem and a shared portion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other aspects of exemplary embodiments of thisinvention are made more evident in the following Detailed Description,when read in conjunction with the attached Drawing Figures, wherein:

FIG. 1 shows an exemplary 7.5 MHz wideband deployment in a dedicatedfrequency spectrum for GERAN and LTE;

FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary 5.0 MHz narrowband deployment in adedicated frequency spectrum for GERAN and LTE;

FIG. 3 depicts an exemplary 5.0 MHz narrowband deployment for a sharedfrequency spectrum for GERAN and LTE utilizing aspects of the exemplaryembodiments of the invention;

FIG. 4 shows an exemplary channel allocation for a GERAN minimumallocation (MA sub) and for an extension into the shared portion of thespectrum (MA full);

FIG. 5 shows exemplary DL cell data throughputs for GERAN and LTE on a 5MHz dedicated frequency spectrum;

FIG. 6 shows exemplary DL cell data throughputs for GERAN and LTE on a10 MHz dedicated frequency spectrum;

FIG. 7 illustrates a graph of LTE throughput vs. available bandwidth forLTE on a 5 MHz dedicated frequency spectrum for 200 kHz and 600 kHzsteps between GERAN and LTE;

FIG. 8 illustrates a graph of LTE throughput vs. available bandwidth forLTE on a 10 MHz dedicated frequency spectrum for 200 kHz and 600 kHzsteps between GERAN and LTE;

FIG. 9 shows a simplified block diagram of various electronic devicesthat are suitable for use in practicing the exemplary embodiments ofthis invention;

FIG. 10 depicts a flowchart illustrating one non-limiting example of amethod for practicing the exemplary embodiments of this invention;

FIG. 11 depicts a flowchart illustrating another non-limiting example ofa method for practicing the exemplary embodiments of this invention; and

FIG. 12 depicts a flowchart illustrating another non-limiting example ofa method for practicing the exemplary embodiments of this invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As utilized herein, the terms service, system, network and technologyare used interchangeably to refer to a type of wireless communicationsystem or network utilizing the indicated technology. For example, aGERAN service comprises a wireless network or system that includes orsupports GERAN communication. Using this terminology, a network may infact comprise other networks. For example, an operator network maycomprise both a GERAN network and a LTE network.

A LTE service, as currently indicated by 3GPP, is capable of operationon a 180 kHz resolution. Furthermore, the minimum frequency allocationis 1.25 MHz, which includes both common control and traffic. Thesupported frequency allocations for LTE DL, as specified by Section7.1.1 of TR 25.814 V7.1.0 (Table 7.1.1-1—Parameters for downlinktransmission scheme), are shown in Table 1 below. In addition, the DLsynchronization signals, as specified by Section 5.7 of TS 36.211V0.2.1, are transmitted on 72 active subcarriers, centered around the DCsubcarrier. Note also that LTE services may utilize spectrum allocationsof different sizes, including 1.25 MHz, 1.6 MHz, 2.5 MHz, 5 MHz, 10 MHz,15 MHz and 20 MHz in both the uplink and downlink. “UTRA-UTRAN Long TermEvolution (LTE) and 3GPP System Architecture Evolution (SAE), Long TermEvolution of the 3GPP radio technology,” 3GPP, updated Oct. 4, 2006. Itis briefly observed that, as specified by Section 6.11 of TS 36.211V8.1.0 (Dec. 20, 2007), the primary synchronization signal is generatedfrom a frequency-domain Zadoff-Chu sequence and the secondsynchronization signal is an interleaved concatenation of two length-31binary sequences.

TABLE 1 Transmission BW 1.25 MHz 2.5 MHz 5 MHz 10 MHz 15 MHz 20 MHzSub-frame duration 0.5 ms Sub-carrier spacing  15 kHz Sampling frequency1.92 MHz 3.84 MHz 7.68 MHz 15.36 MHz 23.04 MHz 30.72 MHz (½ × 3.84 MHz)(2 × 3.84 MHz) (4 × 3.84 MHz) (6 × 3.84 MHz) (8 × 3.84 MHz) FFT size 128256 512 1024 1536 2048 Number of occupied  76 151 301  601  901 1201sub-carriers †, †† Number of OFDM 7/6 symbols per sub frame (Short/LongCP) CP length Short (4.69/9) × 6, (4.69/18) × 6, (4.69/36) × 6,(4.69/72) × 6, (4.69/108) × 6, (4.69/144) × 6, (μs/samples) (5.21/10) ×1* (5.21/20) × 1 (5.21/40) × 1 (5.21/80) × 1 (5.21/120) × 1 (5.21/160) ×1 Long (16.67/32) (16.67/64) (16.67/128) (16.67/256) (16.67/384)(16.67/512) † Includes DC sub-carrier which contains no data †† This isthe assumption for the baseline proposal. Somewhat more carriers may bepossible to occupy in case of the wider bandwidth.

Reference is made to 3GPP TR 25.814 V7.1.0, “3rd Generation PartnershipProject; Technical Specification Group Radio Access Network; Physicallayer aspects for evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access (UTRA)(Release 7),” September 2006, and, more specifically, to theintroduction portion of Section 7.1.1, which includes Table7.1.1-1—Parameters for downlink transmission scheme.

Reference is also made to 3GPP TS 36.211 V0.2.1, “3rd GenerationPartnership Project; Technical Specification Group Radio Access Network;Physical Channels and Modulation (Release 8),” November 2006, and, morespecifically, to Section 5.7.

Note that although the LTE specifications described herein are accurateas of the drafting and filing of this provisional patent application,the LTE specifications are subject to further revisions, as dictated bythe 3GPP. For example, in implementing the exemplary embodiments of theinvention, should the 3GPP reduce the minimum allocation for LTE from1.25 MHz to 0.625 MHz, a similar change may be applied to the discussionof the exemplary embodiments of the invention herein. That is, thenon-limiting exemplary embodiments as presented and described herein arenot limited solely to utilization of an LTE service having a minimumallocation of 1.25 MHz.

Furthermore, while the exemplary embodiments will be described herein inthe context of integrating LTE with GERAN, it should be appreciated thatthe exemplary embodiments of this invention are not limited for use withonly these two particular types of wireless communication systems, andthat they may be used in conjunction with other wireless communicationsystems and implementations. As a non-limiting example, the exemplaryembodiments of the invention may be used when integrating otherwiseconflicting wireless communication services or systems that use, or havethe potential for using, a same dedicated bandwidth, where each of theservices or systems has a minimum capacity requirement (e.g., a minimumbandwidth allocation required for operation of the service or system).

When two different and otherwise incompatible systems are allocated toan operator (i.e., an operator network) with dedicated spectrumallocation, there is a relatively high risk that the overall spectralefficiency of one or both systems will be degraded if the two systemsare implemented as designed (e.g., based solely on the dedicatedspectrum allocations). Thus, it is highly desirable to utilizetechniques by which the two opposing systems can peacefully coexist suchthat the efficiency of one or both systems is diminished as little aspossible or at least such that the degradation of efficiency is reduced.

For example, when LTE is initially introduced into an operator network,there may not be sufficiently high penetration of LTE-capable UE. Evenso, an operator desiring to integrate LTE must invest to the minimumrequired capacity in order to launch and operate LTE services. It mayeven be that the extra LTE capacity is not able to provide revenue forthe operator until the LTE UE penetration achieves a certain amount.

If an operator cannot acquire new frequency spectrum to operate LTE,then LTE may be introduced utilizing the same bandwidth as that used forGERAN. That is, if the bandwidth is sufficient to at least accommodatethe minimum capacity for both services, then the bandwidth can bedivided into different portions for each service.

Note that the GERAN service as discussed herein with respect to FIGS.1-3 comprises a BCCH allocation of 12 ARFN (2.4 MHz) and a desiredpossible hopping region of 13 ARFN (2.6 MHz). That is, the GERAN serviceof FIGS. 1-3 has a minimum capacity comprising the BCCH allocation (2.4MHz). The additional 2.6 MHz of the hopping region significantlyincreases the efficiency of the GERAN service by enabling the GERANservice to utilize frequency hopping (i.e., when available).

FIG. 1 shows an exemplary 7.5 MHz wideband deployment in a dedicatedfrequency spectrum for GERAN and LTE. As can be seen, in the exemplaryimplementation of FIG. 1, the GERAN service is allocated 5.0 MHz of the7.5 MHz bandwidth while the LTE service is allocated 2.5 MHz. Althoughthe GERAN service may be considered diminished from its previousunshared capacity of 7.5 MHz, the GERAN service of FIG. 1 retains 5.0MHz of bandwidth and is capable of utilizing frequency hopping ifpossible.

Although the exemplary implementation of FIG. 1 is useful, it does notaddress the situation where the bandwidth allocation prevents one of theservices from operating at a desired level. FIG. 2 illustrates anexemplary 5.0 MHz narrowband deployment in a dedicated frequencyspectrum for GERAN and LTE. In the exemplary implementation of FIG. 2,the GERAN service has been allocated 2.4 MHz for the BCCHs while the LTEservice has been allocated 2.5 MHz. This only leaves 0.1 MHz of thebandwidth remaining, which is too little for the GERAN service toutilize for frequency hopping. Thus, the GERAN service of FIG. 2experiences a significant decrease in capacity as interference diversityis lost (i.e., no hopping layer) and traffic is limited to the BCCH.

Experimentation has shown that in a 5.0 MHz GERAN bandwidth, theallocation of 2.5 MHz for LTE deployment, as shown in FIG. 2, woulddegrade the GERAN service capacity by 80%. In contrast, experimentationhas also shown that in a 5.0 MHz GERAN bandwidth, the allocation of only1.25 MHz for LTE deployment, the minimum such allocation for LTE, onlydegrades the GERAN service capacity by 45%. However, in such a case, itmay develop that through increased LTE UE penetration, the LTEallocation is insufficient to accommodate all of the LTE traffic.

Thus, it would be desirable to provide techniques by which LTE can beimplemented in the same dedicated frequency spectrum as GERAN,preferably with a flexible allocation. In order for both services tooperate, the allocation for each would necessarily comprise the minimumfrequency allocation required by the service. Furthermore, althoughallocations for LTE services may comprise portions as small as 1.25 MHz,it may be desirable to utilize smaller increments (e.g., the minimumresource allocation of one or both services) when considering largerallocations for the LTE service (e.g., allocations between 2.5 MHz and5.0 MHz or allocations between 5.0 MHz and 10.0 MHz). The exemplaryembodiments of the invention describe methods, computer programproducts, apparatus and systems providing such a shared frequency usage,as explained in further detail below.

FIG. 3 depicts an exemplary 5.0 MHz narrowband deployment for a sharedfrequency spectrum for GERAN and LTE utilizing aspects of the exemplaryembodiments of the invention. As shown in FIG. 3, the 5.0 MHz ofavailable bandwidth has been divided into three portions. Two of theportions comprise the minimum frequency band allocation requirement forthe GERAN and LTE services of 2.4 MHz and 1.25 MHz, respectively. Theremaining 1.35 MHz of bandwidth comprises a shared portion. The sharedportion of bandwidth may be allocated, in part or in whole, to one orboth of the two services.

A non-limiting example for determining the allocation of a sharedportion for LTE and GERAN integration is presented herein. For thisexample, assume that the GERAN network is operational and roll-out withfull spectrum allocation has been made. Furthermore, assume that the LTEnetwork is introduced to the same dedicated bandwidth of which the GERANformerly had full use (i.e., a full allocation).

In this example, during rush hour, due to the increase in voice traffic,the speech connections are given a higher priority. As such, additionalcapacity may be needed for the speech connections. Overall inter-systemcapacity may be maximized by fully allocating the shared portion to theGERAN system with priority given to speech connections. Mandatory commoncontrol channel allocations will remain for both systems to provide atleast minimum service capability. Due to the additional bandwidth of theshared portion (as temporarily allocated to the GERAN system), the GERANservice will utilize the BCCH reuse and extend the number of hoppingfrequencies in the MA lists to encompass the additional bandwidth. Inother exemplary embodiments, a longer MA list may be converted into twoor more MA lists, thus making it possible to use less than 1/1 reuse fortraffic channels.

FIG. 4 shows an exemplary MA list for a GERAN minimum allocation (MAsub) and for an extension into the shared portion of the spectrum (MAfull). As apparent in FIG. 4, ARFNs 9-12 have been newly allocated foruse by the GERAN service (MA full). The additional ARFNs of the extendedMA list (MA full) enable better interference diversity and, thus, highercapacity. In such a manner, the GERAN service could, for example,utilize the shared portion for frequency hopping and increase itscapacity beyond the minimum amount. At the same time, the LTE servicewould retain at least its minimum required frequency allocation of 1.25MHz.

As a further non-limiting example, assume that rush hour has passed.Speech connection no longer need be assigned a higher priority, thusenabling more capacity to be converted for LTE use. The LTE capacity canbe increased by allocating (e.g., temporarily) a portion, or all, of theshared portion to the LTE system. As above, mandatory common controlchannel allocations will remain for both systems to provide at leastminimum service capability. In some exemplary embodiments, the GERANservice may retain BCCH reuse but will now operate with a lower numberof hopping frequencies in the MA lists.

Another option for allocating the shared portion comprises multi-layerfrequency planning in GERAN, where one of the traffic layers or an extralayer comprises the shared portion. In other exemplary embodiments, theresources may be managed (e.g., in GERAN) using different speech or datacodec options. In further exemplary embodiments, automatic linkadaptation for codec mode selection may be combined. In other exemplaryembodiments, the resources may be managed (e.g., in GERAN) by packingfull rate traffic channels, for example, to half or quarter rate trafficchannels with multiple sub-channels for an overall higher number oftraffic channels. This may be done because the improved link performancewith shared spectrum in the high traffic-loaded conditions enables theuse of interference control mechanisms (e.g., random frequency hopping,interference rejection mechanisms, micro/macro layer).

In addition to or instead of time-domain processing, further exemplaryembodiments utilize other types or forms of multiplexing (e.g.,multiplexing in other domains), such as orthogonal sub-channels(multiplexing users in a same modulation constellation) or virtual-MIMO(sharing the same resource and separating by training sequences), asnon-limiting examples.

As noted above, the shared portion may also be allocated in part. Thatis, one part of the shared portion may be allocated for the GERANservice while another part is allocated for the LTE service. Since theGERAN resolution comprises 200 kHz and the LTE resolution comprises 180kHz, in other exemplary embodiments, the allocations of the sharedportion may comprise allocations in 200 kHz increments for the GERANservice and other allocations in 180 kHz increments for the LTE service.If a non-LTE or non-GERAN service is utilized, the allocation for thatservice may comprises the resolution or minimum resource allocation forthat service. In other exemplary embodiments, the shared portion may beallocated to one or both services in increments of a predetermined size,such as the resolution of either one of the two services (e.g., 200 kHzincrements) or in 600 kHz increments, as a non-limiting example. Infurther exemplary embodiments, the increment size may be specified basedon the system that is holding the main control logic of the sharedspectrum resources. In other exemplary embodiments, the increment sizemay be specified based on which service comprises traffic having higheror the highest priority. As a non-limiting example, and with specificreference to the above-presented examples of rush hour traffic andGERAN-LTE interoperability, during rush hour traffic, the increment sizemay be specified as 180 kHz since the speech capacity of the GERANservice has the highest priority at that time (i.e., in highinter-system load conditions, circuit switched speech capacity is notcompromised so long as the legacy GSM terminal penetration is relativelyhigh).

As another non-limiting example, with respect to EDGE, 3GPPstandardization is currently considering 325 kHz carriers in the UL(e.g., EGPRS2). Thus, the carriers are overlapping. In such cases, itmay be beneficial to consider carrier spacing and carrier bandwidth whenspecifying increment size and allocating resources on a dedicatedbandwidth. Note that this wider carrier may also be used in the DL, forexample.

Thus, in some exemplary embodiments of the invention, the LTE allocationcomprises a portion of the bandwidth equal to (n×180 kHz)+guard band,where n comprises a non-negative integer and n≧6. In other exemplaryembodiments, the GERAN allocation comprises a portion of the bandwidthequal to BCCH allocation+(n×200 kHz), where n comprises a non-negativeinteger and BCCH allocation is 200 kHz×BCCH frequency reuse factor. Insome exemplary embodiments, the non-negative integer n may be selectedsuch that the overall bandwidth allocation is substantially utilized orfully utilized in consideration of at least the GERAN BCCH and TCHfrequency allocation.

In further exemplary embodiments, the allocation for a service may notexceed the total dedicated bandwidth minus the minimum requiredbandwidth allocation for other services on the total dedicatedbandwidth. In other exemplary embodiments, the allocation for a servicemay comprise increments allowing the smallest possible bandwidthgranularity (e.g., 180 kHz for LTE, 200 kHz for GERAN). In furtherexemplary embodiments, the allocation for a service may be determinedadaptively by a self-engineering algorithm.

In conjunction with the exemplary embodiments of the invention,different BS radio equipment may be used. In other exemplaryembodiments, a co-site multi-mode BS is used. Such a co-site multi-modeBS may be used for the same local area having one or more sectors andsites. Antenna lines and installation may be shared between the twosystems. In other exemplary embodiments, dedicated antenna and/or radioequipment is used.

For FIGS. 5-8, a GERAN reuse of 3 is utilized for the hopping layer andit is assumed that the BCCH layer traffic channel has a capacity of 0.1bits/Hz/s and the TCH layer has a capacity of 0.4 bits/Hz/s.Furthermore, a LTE capacity of 1.6 bits/Hz/s (DL capacity) is assumed.In addition, the 200 kHz-stepped examples correspond to the use of oneGSM carrier while the 600 kHz-stepped examples correspond to the use ofthree GSM carriers (600 kHz=3×200 kHz).

FIG. 5 shows exemplary DL cell data throughputs for GERAN and LTE on a 5MHz dedicated frequency spectrum. As indicated in FIG. 5, the solid lineshows bandwidth options without utilizing a shared portion of bandwidth.There are few options available (four) in such a case, with only twooptions for coexistence of the two systems. (1) GERAN receives the full5 MHz and LTE does not receive an allocation (i.e., LTE is inoperative).(2) LTE is allocated 1.25 MHz, leaving 3.6 MHz for GERAN. This resultsin a reduction of GERAN capacity by approximately 45%. (3) LTE isallocated 2.5 MHz, leaving 2.5 MHz for GERAN. This results in areduction of GERAN capacity by approximately 80%. (4) LTE receives thefull 5 MHz and GERAN does not receive an allocation (i.e., GERAN isinoperative). In this case, additional flexibility for spectrum sharingis desirable to provide more LTE allocation options (e.g., for theportion of bandwidth less than 2.5 MHz).

Also indicated in FIG. 5, with a dashed line, is an exemplary embodimentof the invention utilizing 600 kHz increments (steps) for the sharedportion. As can be seen, there are now four intermediate options,enabling stepped reductions in GERAN capacity of about 19%, 38%, 56% and75%. Utilizing a shared spectrum with 600 kHz steps provides additionaloptions for balancing the capacities of the two systems.

Further indicated in FIG. 5, with a dotted line, is an exemplaryembodiment of the invention utilizing 200 kHz increments (steps) for theshared portion. As is apparent, there are now numerous intermediateoptions for allocating the total bandwidth. This enables morefinely-stepped options for reductions in GERAN capacity (with concurrentfinely-stepped options for increases in LTE capacity). Using one GSMcarrier resolution for LTE-GERAN spectrum sharing enables higheroptimization of frequency usage for both networks.

FIG. 6 shows exemplary DL cell data throughputs for GERAN and LTE on a10 MHz dedicated frequency spectrum. Similar to FIG. 5, the solid lineshows bandwidth options without utilizing a shared portion of bandwidth.Three intermediate options are illustrated enabling reductions in GERANcapacity of 17% (1.25 MHz for LTE, 8.6 MHz for GERAN), 32% (2.5 MHz forLTE, 7.4 MHz for GERAN) and 61% (5.0 MHz for LTE, 5.0 MHz for GERAN). Inthis case, additional flexibility for spectrum sharing is desirable toprovide more LTE allocation options (e.g., for the portion of bandwidthgreater than 2.5 MHz).

In FIG. 6, the dashed line shows an exemplary embodiment of theinvention utilizing 600 kHz increments (steps) for the shared portionand the dotted line shows an exemplary embodiment of the inventionutilizing 200 kHz increments (steps) for the shared portion. As isapparent, these two implementations each provide a number of additionalintermediate options for sharing the dedicated bandwidth, thus enablingmore flexible spectrum sharing.

FIG. 7 illustrates a graph of LTE throughput vs. available bandwidth forLTE on a 5 MHz dedicated frequency spectrum for 200 kHz and 600 kHzsteps between GERAN and LTE. Note that a minimum LTE band of 0.625 MHzis assumed. On average, LTE throughput improved about 50% for the 200kHz-stepped spectrum sharing and about 42% for the 600 kHz-steppedspectrum sharing, both as compared to coexistence without steppedspectrum sharing.

FIG. 8 illustrates a graph of LTE throughput vs. available bandwidth forLTE on a 10 MHz dedicated frequency spectrum for 200 kHz and 600 kHzsteps between GERAN and LTE. Again, note that a minimum LTE band of0.625 MHz is assumed. On average, LTE throughput improved about 49% forthe 200 kHz-stepped spectrum sharing and about 43% for the 600kHz-stepped spectrum sharing, both as compared to coexistence withoutstepped spectrum sharing.

The 600 kHz-stepped examples of FIGS. 5-8 are presented as anon-limiting example of additional options besides a 200 kHz-steppedimplementation. That is, while the 200 kHz accuracy may comprise abeneficial implementation, especially for the GSM service, it may not beas suitable for use with the LTE service, for example, due to complexityin standardization. In such a case, the 600 kHz implementation maycomprise a valid, useful option for the GSM service as well as the LTEservice. The 200 kHz and 600 kHz implementations, as illustrated inFIGS. 5-8, are presented as non-limiting examples. In other exemplaryembodiments, another suitable granularity (i.e., increment, step size)may be used. Note that a smaller granularity may enable more preciseinter-system load balancing as compared with a larger granularity.Clearly this is due to the additional intermediate allocations that aremade possible by utilization of a smaller granularity.

For FIGS. 7 and 8, as discussed above, note that the minimum resourceallocation for the LTE service comprises 0.625 MHz. As noted above,according to the 3GPP, the minimum allocation for the LTE service iscurrently considered to be 1.25 MHz. “UTRA-UTRAN Long Term Evolution(LTE) and 3GPP System Architecture Evolution (SAE), Long Term Evolutionof the 3GPP radio technology,” 3GPP, updated Oct. 4, 2006. However, asalso noted above, LTE is still under review by the 3GPP and thecurrently-specified attributes are subject to change. That is, FIGS. 7and 8 illustrate an exemplary system in which the minimum LTE allocationcomprise 0.625 MHz. Due to this, the throughput gain in LTE for theallocations from 0.625 MHz to 1.25 MHz are “infinite”, as displayed inthe figures.

Reference is made to FIG. 9 for illustrating a simplified block diagramof various electronic devices that are suitable for use in practicingthe exemplary embodiments of this invention. In FIG. 9, a wirelessnetwork 12 is adapted for communication with a user equipment (UE) 14via an access node (AN) 16. The UE 14 includes a data processor (DP) 18,a memory (MEM) 20 coupled to the DP 18, and a suitable RF transceiver(TRANS) 22 (having a transmitter (TX) and a receiver (RX)) coupled tothe DP 18. The MEM 20 stores a program (PROG) 24. The TRANS 22 is forbidirectional wireless communications with the AN 16. Note that theTRANS 22 has at least one antenna to facilitate communication.

The AN 16 includes a data processor (DP) 26, a memory (MEM) 28 coupledto the DP 26, and a suitable RF transceiver (TRANS) 30 (having atransmitter (TX) and a receiver (RX)) coupled to the DP 26. The MEM 28stores a program (PROG) 32. The TRANS 30 is for bidirectional wirelesscommunications with the UE 14. Note that the TRANS 30 has at least oneantenna to facilitate communication. The AN 16 is coupled via a datapath 34 to one or more external networks or systems, such as theinternet 36, for example. At least one of the PROGs 24, 32 is assumed toinclude program instructions that, when executed by the associated DP,enable the electronic device to operate in accordance with the exemplaryembodiments of this invention, as discussed herein.

In general, the various embodiments of the UE 14 can include, but arenot limited to, mobile terminals, mobile phones, cellular phones,personal digital assistants (PDAs) having wireless communicationcapabilities, portable computers having wireless communicationcapabilities, image capture devices such as digital cameras havingwireless communication capabilities, gaming devices having wirelesscommunication capabilities, music storage and playback appliances havingwireless communication capabilities, Internet appliances permittingwireless Internet access and browsing, as well as portable units orterminals that incorporate combinations of such functions.

The embodiments of this invention may be implemented by computersoftware executable by one or more of the DPs 18, 26 of the UE 14 andthe AN 16, or by hardware, or by a combination of software and hardware.

The MEMs 20, 28 may be of any type suitable to the local technicalenvironment and may be implemented using any suitable data storagetechnology, such as semiconductor-based memory devices, magnetic memorydevices and systems, optical memory devices and systems, fixed memoryand removable memory, as non-limiting examples. The DPs 18, 26 may be ofany type suitable to the local technical environment, and may includeone or more of general purpose computers, special purpose computers,microprocessors, digital signal processors (DSPs) and processors basedon a multi-core processor architecture, as non-limiting examples. TheDPs 18, 26, or another suitable component, may be configured to performone or more measurements, such as measuring one or more attributes ofthe network (e.g., network load, network load per system type), as anon-limiting example.

The exemplary embodiments of the invention describe methods, computerprogram products, apparatus and systems providing for shared frequencyusage. As can be seen, the exemplary embodiments of the invention allowfor integrating (e.g., otherwise conflicting) wireless communicationservices or systems that use, or have the potential for using, a samededicated bandwidth, where each of the services or systems has a minimumcapacity requirement (e.g., a minimum bandwidth allocation required foroperation of the service or system), by providing for a shared portionof the dedicated bandwidth. Furthermore, the exemplary embodiments ofthe invention enable flexible allocations such that the shared portioncan be allocated based on criteria (e.g., the relative traffic of thesystems).

Specifically, the exemplary embodiments of the invention also providefor integration of LTE on a GERAN dedicated bandwidth by using a sharedportion of bandwidth that may be allocated, in part or in whole, to oneor both of the two systems. In a LTE-GERAN implementation, since LTEcomprises only packet-switched channels, other GERAN quality of servicemeasures, in addition to average reception quality, may be considered,such as delay of data packets, data throughput and transmissionreliability, as non-limiting examples.

Below are provided further descriptions of various non-limiting,exemplary embodiments. The below-described exemplary embodiments areseparately numbered for clarity and identification. This numberingshould not be construed as wholly separating the below descriptionssince various aspects of one or more exemplary embodiments may bepracticed in conjunction with one or more other aspects or exemplaryembodiments.

1. In one non-limiting, exemplary embodiment, and as illustrated in FIG.10, a method includes: providing a decision criteria and a loadmeasurement method (101); using the load measurement method, estimatingnetwork load for at least one region (102); using the decision criteriaand the estimated network load, determining whether a bandwidthfrequency allocation of a dedicated shared bandwidth for the at leastone region should be modified, wherein the dedicated shared bandwidthcomprises bandwidth used by a plurality of systems (103); and, inresponse to determining that the bandwidth frequency allocation shouldbe modified, modifying the bandwidth frequency allocation of the atleast one region (104).

A method as above, wherein the estimating of the network load comprisesat least one measurement of at least one attribute of the at least oneregion (e.g., traffic). A method as in any above, wherein modifying thebandwidth frequency allocation comprises starting a multi-mode channelallocation process within the dedicated shared bandwidth. A method as inany above, wherein modifying the bandwidth frequency allocationcomprises adjusting channel assignments for the at least one region. Amethod as in any above, wherein the bandwidth frequency allocation ismodified such that the bandwidth frequency allocation is substantiallyor fully allocated to the plurality of systems. A method as in anyabove, wherein the plurality of systems comprises at least two systemsusing different communication technologies. A method as in any above,wherein the plurality of systems comprises a GERAN system and a LTEsystem. A method as in any above, wherein the at least one regioncomprises at least one sector, site or cell. Load measurement methods,measures of network load and further types of decision criteria areknown by one of ordinary skill in the art.

A method as in any above, wherein determining whether the bandwidthfrequency allocation should be modified comprises monitoring the networkload. A method as in any above, wherein the network load is monitoredusing available RRM tools or key performance indicators. A method as inany above, wherein the plurality of systems comprises a GERAN system andwherein average reception quality for speech connection indicateswhether the GERAN system is heavily loaded. A method as in any above,wherein estimating network load comprises considering at least one ofaverage reception quality, delay of data packets, data throughput andtransmission reliability.

A method as in any above, wherein estimating the network load comprisesmeasuring an average number of free time slots. A method as in anyabove, wherein determining whether the bandwidth frequency allocationshould be modified comprises comparing the measured average number offree time slots to a number of occupied time slots. A method as in anyabove, wherein the comparison indicates that more or less capacityshould be provided to one system. A method as in any above, whereindetermining whether the bandwidth frequency allocation should bemodified comprises comparing an average system load to statisticalnetwork data (e.g., for the time or time period). A method as in anyabove, wherein the method is implemented by a computer program.

2. In another non-limiting, exemplary embodiment, and as illustrated inFIG. 12, a method includes: estimating network load for at least oneregion of a network using a load measurement method (201); using adecision criteria and the estimated network load, determining whether abandwidth frequency allocation of a dedicated shared bandwidth for theat least one region should be modified, wherein the dedicated sharedbandwidth comprises bandwidth used by a plurality of systems of thenetwork (202); and in response to determining that the bandwidthfrequency allocation should be modified, modifying the bandwidthfrequency allocation of the at least one region (203).

A method as above, wherein the estimating of the network load comprisesmaking at least one measurement of at least one attribute of the atleast one region. A method as in any above, wherein modifying thebandwidth frequency allocation comprises starting a multi-mode channelallocation process within the dedicated shared bandwidth. A method as inany above, wherein modifying the bandwidth frequency allocationcomprises adjusting channel assignments for the at least one region. Amethod as in any above, wherein the plurality of systems comprises atleast two systems using different communication technologies. A methodas in any above, wherein the plurality of systems comprises a globalsystem for mobile communications (GSM)/enhanced data rates for GSMevolution (EDGE) radio access network and a long term evolution ofuniversal terrestrial radio access network.

A method as in any above, wherein determining whether the bandwidthfrequency allocation should be modified comprises monitoring the networkload. A method as in the previous, wherein the network load is monitoredusing available radio resource management tools or key performanceindicators. A method as in any above, wherein estimating network loadcomprises considering at least one of average reception quality, delayof data packets, data throughput and transmission reliability. A methodas in any above, wherein estimating the network load comprises measuringan average number of free time slots. A method as in any above, whereindetermining whether the bandwidth frequency allocation should bemodified comprises comparing a measured average number of free timeslots to a number of occupied time slots. A method as in any above,wherein determining whether the bandwidth frequency allocation should bemodified comprises comparing an average system load to statisticalnetwork data. A method as in any above, wherein the method isimplemented by a computer program.

3. In another non-limiting, exemplary embodiment, a program storagedevice readable by a machine, tangibly embodying a program ofinstructions executable by the machine for performing operations, saidoperations comprising: estimating network load for at least one regionof a network using a load measurement method (201); using a decisioncriteria and the estimated network load, determining whether a bandwidthfrequency allocation of a dedicated shared bandwidth for the at leastone region should be modified, wherein the dedicated shared bandwidthcomprises bandwidth used by a plurality of systems of the network (202);and in response to determining that the bandwidth frequency allocationshould be modified, modifying the bandwidth frequency allocation of theat least one region (203).

A program storage device as above, wherein the estimating of the networkload comprises making at least one measurement of at least one attributeof the at least one region. A program storage device as in any above,wherein modifying the bandwidth frequency allocation comprises startinga multi-mode channel allocation process within the dedicated sharedbandwidth. A program storage device as in any above, wherein modifyingthe bandwidth frequency allocation comprises adjusting channelassignments for the at least one region. A program storage device as inany above, wherein the plurality of systems comprises at least twosystems using different communication technologies. A program storagedevice as in any above, wherein the plurality of systems comprises aglobal system for mobile communications (GSM)/enhanced data rates forGSM evolution (EDGE) radio access network and a long term evolution ofuniversal terrestrial radio access network. A program storage device asin any above, wherein estimating network load comprises considering atleast one of average reception quality, delay of data packets, datathroughput and transmission reliability.

A program storage device as in any above, wherein determining whetherthe bandwidth frequency allocation should be modified comprisesmonitoring the network load. A program storage device as in theprevious, wherein the network load is monitored using available radioresource management tools or key performance indicators. A programstorage device as in any above, wherein estimating the network loadcomprises measuring an average number of free time slots. A programstorage device as in any above, wherein determining whether thebandwidth frequency allocation should be modified comprises comparing ameasured average number of free time slots to a number of occupied timeslots. A program storage device as in any above, wherein determiningwhether the bandwidth frequency allocation should be modified comprisescomparing an average system load to statistical network data.

4. In another non-limiting, exemplary embodiment, an apparatus (16)comprising: a memory (28) configured to store a decision criteria; and aprocessor (26) configured to estimate network load for at least oneregion of a network using a load measurement method, to use the decisioncriteria and the estimated network load to determine whether a bandwidthfrequency allocation of a dedicated shared bandwidth for the at leastone region should be modified, and, in response to determining that thebandwidth frequency allocation should be modified, to modify thebandwidth frequency allocation of the at least one region, wherein thededicated shared bandwidth comprises bandwidth used by a plurality ofsystems of the network.

An apparatus as above, wherein the processor (26) estimating the networkload comprises the processor (26) making at least one measurement of atleast one attribute of the at least one region. An apparatus as in anyabove, wherein the processor (26) modifying the bandwidth frequencyallocation comprises the processor starting a multi-mode channelallocation process within the dedicated shared bandwidth. An apparatusas in any above, wherein the processor (26) modifying the bandwidthfrequency allocation comprises the processor (26) adjusting channelassignments for the at least one region. An apparatus as in any above,wherein the plurality of systems comprises at least two systems usingdifferent communication technologies. An apparatus as in any above,wherein the plurality of systems comprises a global system for mobilecommunications (GSM)/enhanced data rates for GSM evolution (EDGE) radioaccess network and a long term evolution of universal terrestrial radioaccess network. An apparatus as in any above, wherein the processor (26)estimating network load comprises the processor (26) considering atleast one of average reception quality, delay of data packets, datathroughput and transmission reliability. An apparatus as in any above,wherein the apparatus comprises a base station.

An apparatus as in any above, wherein the processor (26) determiningwhether the bandwidth frequency allocation should be modified comprisesthe processor (26) monitoring the network load. An apparatus as in theprevious, wherein the network load is monitored using available radioresource management tools or key performance indicators. An apparatus asin any above, wherein the processor (26) estimating the network loadcomprises the processor (26) measuring an average number of free timeslots. An apparatus as in any above, wherein the processor (26)determining whether the bandwidth frequency allocation should bemodified comprises the processor (26) comparing a measured averagenumber of free time slots to a number of occupied time slots. Anapparatus as in any above, wherein the processor (26) determiningwhether the bandwidth frequency allocation should be modified comprisesthe processor (26) comparing an average system load to statisticalnetwork data.

5. In another non-limiting, exemplary embodiment, an apparatuscomprising: means for estimating network load for at least one region ofa network using a load measurement method; means for using a decisioncriteria and the estimated network load to determine whether a bandwidthfrequency allocation of a dedicated shared bandwidth for the at leastone region should be modified, wherein the dedicated shared bandwidthcomprises bandwidth used by a plurality of systems of the network; andmeans for modifying, in response to the means for determining that thebandwidth frequency allocation should be modified, the bandwidthfrequency allocation of the at least one region.

An apparatus as above, wherein the means for estimating, the means forusing and the means for modifying comprise a processor. An apparatus asin any above, further comprising means for storing the decisioncriteria. An apparatus as in the previous, wherein the means for storingcomprises a memory. An apparatus as in any above, wherein the apparatuscomprises a base station.

An apparatus as above, further comprising means for making at least onemeasurement of at least one attribute of the at least one region,wherein said at least one measurement is utilized by said means forestimating. An apparatus as in any above, wherein the means formodifying the bandwidth frequency allocation is further for starting amulti-mode channel allocation process within the dedicated sharedbandwidth. An apparatus as in any above, wherein the means for modifyingthe bandwidth frequency allocation is further for adjusting channelassignments for the at least one region. An apparatus as in any above,wherein the plurality of systems comprises at least two systems usingdifferent communication technologies. An apparatus as in any above,wherein the plurality of systems comprises a global system for mobilecommunications (GSM)/enhanced data rates for GSM evolution (EDGE) radioaccess network and a long term evolution of universal terrestrial radioaccess network. An apparatus as in any above, wherein the means forestimating network load is further for considering at least one ofaverage reception quality, delay of data packets, data throughput andtransmission reliability.

An apparatus as in any above, wherein the means for determining whetherthe bandwidth frequency allocation should be modified is further formonitoring the network load. An apparatus as in the previous, whereinthe network load is monitored using available radio resource managementtools or key performance indicators. An apparatus as in any above,wherein the means for estimating the network load is further formeasuring an average number of free time slots. An apparatus as in anyabove, wherein the means for determining whether the bandwidth frequencyallocation should be modified is further for comparing a measuredaverage number of free time slots to a number of occupied time slots. Anapparatus as in any above, wherein the means for determining whether thebandwidth frequency allocation should be modified is further forcomparing an average system load to statistical network data.

6. In another non-limiting, exemplary embodiment, and as illustrated inFIG. 11, a method includes: providing a dedicated bandwidth to beallocated among a plurality of systems comprising a first system and asecond system (121); and allocating the dedicated bandwidth such thatthe allocated bandwidth comprises a first allocation for the firstsystem, a second allocation for the second system and a shared portion(122).

A method as in any above, wherein the shared portion is allocated to thefirst system or the second system. A method as in any above, wherein, inresponse to a first condition being met, the shared portion issubstantially allocated to the first system. A method as in theprevious, wherein the first condition comprises an increase in trafficfor the first system. A method as in any above, wherein, in response toa second condition being met, the shared portion is reallocated betweenthe first system and the second system. A method as in any above,wherein the method is implemented by a base station of the network. Amethod as in any above, wherein the method is implemented by a computerprogram.

7. In another non-limiting, exemplary embodiment, a program storagedevice readable by a machine, tangibly embodying a program ofinstructions executable by the machine for performing operations, saidoperations comprising: providing a dedicated bandwidth to be allocatedamong a plurality of systems of a network, wherein the plurality ofsystems comprises a first system and a second system; and allocating thededicated bandwidth such that the allocated bandwidth comprises a firstallocation for the first system, a second allocation for the secondsystem and a shared portion.

A program storage device as in any above, wherein the shared portion isallocated to the first system or the second system. A program storagedevice as in any above, wherein, in response to a first condition beingmet, the shared portion is substantially allocated to the first system.A program storage device as in the previous, wherein the first conditioncomprises an increase in traffic for the first system. A program storagedevice as in any above, wherein, in response to a second condition beingmet, the shared portion is reallocated between the first system and thesecond system. A program storage device as in any above, wherein themachine comprises a base station of the network.

8. In another non-limiting, exemplary embodiment, an apparatus (16)comprising: a processor (26) configured to allocate a dedicatedbandwidth in a network such that the allocated bandwidth comprises afirst allocation for a first system, a second allocation for a secondsystem and a shared portion; and a memory (28) configured to storeallocation information for the allocated dedicated bandwidth.

An apparatus (16) as in any above, wherein the shared portion isallocated to the first system or the second system. An apparatus (16) asin any above, wherein, in response to a first condition being met, theshared portion is substantially allocated to the first system. Anapparatus (16) as in the previous, wherein the first condition comprisesan increase in traffic for the first system. An apparatus (16) as in anyabove, wherein, in response to a second condition being met, the sharedportion is reallocated between the first system and the second system.An apparatus (16) as in any above, wherein the apparatus comprises abase station of the network.

9. In another non-limiting, exemplary embodiment, an apparatuscomprising: means for allocating a dedicated bandwidth in a network suchthat the allocated bandwidth comprises a first allocation for a firstsystem, a second allocation for a second system and a shared portion;and means for storing allocation information for the allocated dedicatedbandwidth.

An apparatus as in any above, wherein the shared portion is allocated tothe first system or the second system. An apparatus as in any above,wherein, in response to a first condition being met, the shared portionis substantially allocated to the first system. An apparatus as in theprevious, wherein the first condition comprises an increase in trafficfor the first system. An apparatus as in any above, wherein, in responseto a second condition being met, the shared portion is reallocatedbetween the first system and the second system. An apparatus as in anyabove, wherein the apparatus comprises a base station of the network. Anapparatus as in any above, wherein the means for allocating comprises aprocessor and the means for storing comprises a memory.

The exemplary embodiments of the invention, as discussed above and asparticularly described herein with respect to exemplary methods, may beimplemented as a computer program product comprising programinstructions embodied on a tangible computer-readable medium. Executionof the program instructions results in operations comprising the stepsof utilizing the exemplary embodiments or the steps of the method.

The exemplary embodiments of the invention, as discussed above and asparticularly described with respect to exemplary methods, may beimplemented in conjunction with a program storage device readable by amachine, tangibly embodying a program of instructions executable by themachine for performing operations. The operations comprise steps ofutilizing the exemplary embodiments or steps of the method.

It should be noted that the terms “connected,” “coupled,” or any variantthereof, mean any connection or coupling, either direct or indirect,between two or more elements, and may encompass the presence of one ormore intermediate elements between two elements that are “connected” or“coupled” together. The coupling or connection between the elements canbe physical, logical, or a combination thereof. As employed herein twoelements may be considered to be “connected” or “coupled” together bythe use of one or more wires, cables and/or printed electricalconnections, as well as by the use of electromagnetic energy, such aselectromagnetic energy having wavelengths in the radio frequency region,the microwave region and the optical (both visible and invisible)region, as several non-limiting and non-exhaustive examples.

In general, the various exemplary embodiments may be implemented inhardware or special purpose circuits, software, logic or any combinationthereof. For example, some aspects may be implemented in hardware, whileother aspects may be implemented in firmware or software which may beexecuted by a controller, microprocessor or other computing device,although the invention is not limited thereto. While various aspects ofthe invention may be illustrated and described as block diagrams, flowcharts, or using some other pictorial representation, it is wellunderstood that these blocks, apparatus, systems, techniques or methodsdescribed herein may be implemented in, as non-limiting examples,hardware, software, firmware, special purpose circuits or logic, generalpurpose hardware or controller or other computing devices, or somecombination thereof.

The exemplary embodiments of the inventions may be practiced in variouscomponents such as integrated circuit modules. The design of integratedcircuits is by and large a highly automated process. Complex andpowerful software tools are available for converting a logic leveldesign into a semiconductor circuit design ready to be etched and formedon a semiconductor substrate.

Programs, such as those provided by Synopsys, Inc. of Mountain View,Calif. and Cadence Design, of San Jose, Calif. automatically routeconductors and locate components on a semiconductor chip using wellestablished rules of design as well as libraries of pre-stored designmodules. Once the design for a semiconductor circuit has been completed,the resultant design, in a standardized electronic format (e.g., Opus,GDSII, or the like) may be transmitted to a semiconductor fabricationfacility or “fab” for fabrication.

The foregoing description has provided by way of exemplary andnon-limiting examples a full and informative description of theinvention. However, various modifications and adaptations may becomeapparent to those skilled in the relevant arts in view of the foregoingdescription, when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings andthe appended claims. However, all such and similar modifications of theteachings of this invention will still fall within the scope of thenon-limiting and exemplary embodiments of this invention.

Furthermore, some of the features of the preferred embodiments of thisinvention could be used to advantage without the corresponding use ofother features. As such, the foregoing description should be consideredas merely illustrative of the principles, teachings and exemplaryembodiments of this invention, and not in limitation thereof.

1-35. (canceled)
 36. A method comprising: estimating network load for atleast one region of a network using a load measurement method; using adecision criteria and the estimated network load, determining whether abandwidth frequency allocation of a dedicated shared bandwidth for theat least one region should be modified, wherein the dedicated sharedbandwidth comprises bandwidth used by a plurality of systems of thenetwork; and in response to determining that the bandwidth frequencyallocation should be modified, modifying the bandwidth frequencyallocation of the at least one region.
 37. A method as in claim 36,wherein the estimating of the network load comprises making at least onemeasurement of at least one attribute of the at least one region.
 38. Amethod as in claim 36, wherein modifying the bandwidth frequencyallocation comprises starting a multi-mode channel allocation processwithin the dedicated shared bandwidth.
 39. A method as in claim 36,wherein modifying the bandwidth frequency allocation comprises adjustingchannel assignments for the at least one region.
 40. A method as inclaim 36, wherein the plurality of systems comprises at least twosystems using different communication technologies.
 41. A method as inclaim 40, wherein the plurality of systems comprises a global system formobile communications (GSM)/enhanced data rates for GSM evolution (EDGE)radio access network and a long term evolution of universal terrestrialradio access network.
 42. A method as in claim 36, wherein determiningwhether the bandwidth frequency allocation should be modified comprisesmonitoring the network load.
 43. A method as in claim 36, whereinestimating network load comprises considering at least one of averagereception quality, delay of data packets, data throughput andtransmission reliability.
 44. A method as in claims 36, whereinestimating the network load comprises measuring an average number offree time slots.
 45. A method as in claim 36, wherein determiningwhether the bandwidth frequency allocation should be modified comprisescomparing a measured average number of free time slots to a number ofoccupied time slots.
 46. A method as in claim 36, wherein determiningwhether the bandwidth frequency allocation should be modified comprisescomparing an average system load to statistical network data.
 47. Aprogram storage device readable by a machine, tangibly embodying aprogram of instructions executable by the machine for performingoperations, said operations comprising: estimating network load for atleast one region of a network using a load measurement method; using adecision criteria and the estimated network load, determining whether abandwidth frequency allocation of a dedicated shared bandwidth for theat least one region should be modified, wherein the dedicated sharedbandwidth comprises bandwidth used by a plurality of systems of thenetwork; and in response to determining that the bandwidth frequencyallocation should be modified, modifying the bandwidth frequencyallocation of the at least one region.
 48. An apparatus comprising: amemory configured to store a decision criteria; and a processorconfigured to estimate network load for at least one region of a networkusing a load measurement method, to use the decision criteria and theestimated network load to determine whether a bandwidth frequencyallocation of a dedicated shared bandwidth for the at least one regionshould be modified, and, in response to determining that the bandwidthfrequency allocation should be modified, to modify the bandwidthfrequency allocation of the at least one region, wherein the dedicatedshared bandwidth comprises bandwidth used by a plurality of systems ofthe network.
 49. An apparatus as in claim 48, wherein the processorestimating the network load comprises the processor making at least onemeasurement of at least one attribute of the at least one region.
 50. Anapparatus as in claim 48, wherein the processor modifying the bandwidthfrequency allocation comprises the processor starting a multi-modechannel allocation process within the dedicated shared bandwidth.
 51. Anapparatus as in claim 48, wherein the processor modifying the bandwidthfrequency allocation comprises the processor adjusting channelassignments for the at least one region.
 52. An apparatus as in claim48, wherein the plurality of systems comprises at least two systemsusing different communication technologies.
 53. An apparatus as in claim52, wherein the plurality of systems comprises a global system formobile communications (GSM)/enhanced data rates for GSM evolution (EDGE)radio access network and a long term evolution of universal terrestrialradio access network.
 54. An apparatus as in claim 48, wherein theprocessor estimating network load comprises the processor considering atleast one of average reception quality, delay of data packets, datathroughput and transmission reliability.
 55. An apparatus as in claim48, wherein the apparatus comprises a base station.